January 2008 Archives
Well, it's been a little while since I've mentioned snowboarding, and since I can't be riding the soggy/icy slopes (thanks a lot rainy temperate zone), I might as well write about it. Something caught my attention the other day while I was getting my board waxed up at the Penn State Snowboard Club office. There was a mention of a newer snowboard technology called "Magne-Traction." Naturally this sparked my interest. After a little bit of research I decided to fill you on what exactly this is and what it's doing for snowboarding.
Magne-Traction was developed by the Lib Technologies Company. A usual snowboard has two "pressure points" on the outside of each foot, where all of the boarder's weight is applied to the snow. This is due to the fact that boards have concave edges, with a thinner middle section, and wider sections under and outside of the feet (as seen in the image to the left). Magne-Traction has a "rippled" edge, which puts seven pressure points all along the board's edge. Although a standard board is presumably better on rails and boxes, boards with Magne-Traction can cut along ice and man-made snow like it's powder (maybe Tussey Mountain still has a chance?). More pressure points will reduce the chance of you washing/sliding out as you go over a patch of the glassy stuff.
Not into Lib-tech boards? No problem. Gnu and Roxy both have been developing boards with Magne-Traction technology. Still skeptical? 4 out of the 9 Mag-Trac boards made by these three companies won 2008 Good Wood honors from Transworld Snowboarding. Almost all won awards from Future Snowboarding Magazine.
So hey all you east coast riders, when you can't get out west to the powder, bring the powder to you. Magne-Traction could be the solution to any crappy conditions you encounter.
Not into Lib-tech boards? No problem. Gnu and Roxy both have been developing boards with Magne-Traction technology. Still skeptical? 4 out of the 9 Mag-Trac boards made by these three companies won 2008 Good Wood honors from Transworld Snowboarding. Almost all won awards from Future Snowboarding Magazine.
So hey all you east coast riders, when you can't get out west to the powder, bring the powder to you. Magne-Traction could be the solution to any crappy conditions you encounter.
Utopian View -
The internet, iPhones, iPods, and computers all make our lives better and easier, and will continue to improve our lives. We can gather any information needed at the touch of a screen and learn. Indefinitely.
Dystopian View -
Check that. We are checking our emails/facebook 25 times a day. We cannot obtain a college degree without a laptop. Perverts and pedophiles stalk and claim victims through the internet. If you can't use MS Office, good luck getting a job that pays more than minimum wage. Anyone can track your background, history and location with the click of a mouse. Indefinitely.
Whether you believe the utopianistic or dystopianistic perspectives, both are examples of technological determinism. Determinism is a theory that we are indefinitely bound by technology and we are destined to progress socially in a manner that only technology can decree. If it is possible for man to develop a technology, it is a certainty that they will. Surprisingly, this theme has been acknowledged in works of man through many decades and many sources of media. Here are a few of my favorites:
Paul E. Ceruzzi's Essay on Moore's Law and Technological Determinism -
Moore's Law empirically stated that the rate at which man develops technology can be calculated, specifically in the amount of transistors that could possibly be placed on an integrated circuit. This theory was developed in 1965. Ironically, at each past point in time since then, scientists consistently predict that the calculation will fail within the ensuing ten years. It has held true till today.
The Machine Stops by E. M. Foster -
This was written almost 100 years ago! It is a fictional prediction of how man could become so dependent on technology, that it will someday lead to our downfall. This trend is still used today in such movies as:
I, Robot
The Matrix
The Terminator
So, before you get too comfortable enjoying your technological conveniences, take a step back. Think about how simple electronics and interfaces are changing you. Think about how they are changing society. It could lead to our total downfall. But hey, destructive or not, having the freshest technology can still be pretty cool.
The internet, iPhones, iPods, and computers all make our lives better and easier, and will continue to improve our lives. We can gather any information needed at the touch of a screen and learn. Indefinitely.
Dystopian View -
Check that. We are checking our emails/facebook 25 times a day. We cannot obtain a college degree without a laptop. Perverts and pedophiles stalk and claim victims through the internet. If you can't use MS Office, good luck getting a job that pays more than minimum wage. Anyone can track your background, history and location with the click of a mouse. Indefinitely.
Whether you believe the utopianistic or dystopianistic perspectives, both are examples of technological determinism. Determinism is a theory that we are indefinitely bound by technology and we are destined to progress socially in a manner that only technology can decree. If it is possible for man to develop a technology, it is a certainty that they will. Surprisingly, this theme has been acknowledged in works of man through many decades and many sources of media. Here are a few of my favorites:
Paul E. Ceruzzi's Essay on Moore's Law and Technological Determinism -
Moore's Law empirically stated that the rate at which man develops technology can be calculated, specifically in the amount of transistors that could possibly be placed on an integrated circuit. This theory was developed in 1965. Ironically, at each past point in time since then, scientists consistently predict that the calculation will fail within the ensuing ten years. It has held true till today.
The Machine Stops by E. M. Foster -
This was written almost 100 years ago! It is a fictional prediction of how man could become so dependent on technology, that it will someday lead to our downfall. This trend is still used today in such movies as:
I, Robot
The Matrix
The Terminator
So, before you get too comfortable enjoying your technological conveniences, take a step back. Think about how simple electronics and interfaces are changing you. Think about how they are changing society. It could lead to our total downfall. But hey, destructive or not, having the freshest technology can still be pretty cool.
One Laptop Per Child is an initiative created to bring laptops to underprivileged children in poor areas. Auggie expertly enlightened us on the subject during last Thursday's class. 
Cheap laptops are collaboratively being created by head technical companies with wireless internet to boost the "progression" of developing communities. In theory, laptops could "provide a means for learning, self-expression, and exploration to the nearly two billion children," as stated in the laptop-giving mission. Visit the websites:
laptop.org <- this site is having some technical issues
www.laptopgiving.org
for more information.
As a follow up to Auggie's recent discuss in class, I've stumbled upon this article on
Engadget
It looks like the OLPC isn't as perfect as everyone makes it sound. If a US State can't get wi-fi to work (not that far from civilization), how can we expect a third-world country, thousands of miles from any internet signals, figure out how to get online?
Oh, and when they do ever get online, this article states that it looks like the students are using this "means for learning and exploration" for a little more than it was intended. Who could blame them? A little peep show now and then on your laptop could mean the world for a pubescent teenage boy. That's why pre-teens and teens in America usually have a monitored computer terminal growing up. What's going to be next? Sex education for every child? Hmm... maybe not a bad idea.
Cheap laptops are collaboratively being created by head technical companies with wireless internet to boost the "progression" of developing communities. In theory, laptops could "provide a means for learning, self-expression, and exploration to the nearly two billion children," as stated in the laptop-giving mission. Visit the websites:laptop.org <- this site is having some technical issues
www.laptopgiving.org
for more information.
As a follow up to Auggie's recent discuss in class, I've stumbled upon this article on
Engadget
It looks like the OLPC isn't as perfect as everyone makes it sound. If a US State can't get wi-fi to work (not that far from civilization), how can we expect a third-world country, thousands of miles from any internet signals, figure out how to get online?
Oh, and when they do ever get online, this article states that it looks like the students are using this "means for learning and exploration" for a little more than it was intended. Who could blame them? A little peep show now and then on your laptop could mean the world for a pubescent teenage boy. That's why pre-teens and teens in America usually have a monitored computer terminal growing up. What's going to be next? Sex education for every child? Hmm... maybe not a bad idea.
Here's a little bit about me. I am a very social person. Theres nothing I like better than meeting with new people (or as IST defines it - "networking"). I try to base my life around obtaining new experiences. If I am traveling to new destinations or learning new skills, I am a very happy camper. I love to put my self in unknown situations, and seeing if I can make the best out of it.
Interests???
Lots of them.
One of my main passions right now is snowboarding. Being in the midst of winter, and an avid member of the Penn State Snowboarding Club, I am always looking to shred new terrain. Having three board-riding roommates (and best friends) also helps. There's nothing better than hitting the slopes with good conditions, good company, and fresh gear. Check the website:
Transworld Snowboarding
for frequently updated photos, videos, reviews and other snowboard-related goodies.
I've just returned from a long winter break of traveling. I, along with the roomies, took a six day trip to Quebec City, Canada to sample some of the biggest mountains I have ever rode. The trip was a blast, and we made it back in one piece (which is more than I can say about my poor camera).
Till next time
-Z
Interests???
Lots of them.
One of my main passions right now is snowboarding. Being in the midst of winter, and an avid member of the Penn State Snowboarding Club, I am always looking to shred new terrain. Having three board-riding roommates (and best friends) also helps. There's nothing better than hitting the slopes with good conditions, good company, and fresh gear. Check the website:
Transworld Snowboarding
for frequently updated photos, videos, reviews and other snowboard-related goodies.
I've just returned from a long winter break of traveling. I, along with the roomies, took a six day trip to Quebec City, Canada to sample some of the biggest mountains I have ever rode. The trip was a blast, and we made it back in one piece (which is more than I can say about my poor camera).
Till next time
-Z
What's going on?
This is the blog space for me, Anthony Zmoda, a Junior at Penn State University. I've never truly blogged before, and I have always been a little skeptical about the whole idea. But due to the drive (and requirement) of my IST 431 syllabus, I have decided to give it a shot. Check back soon for the first real entry.
